Modern topics and challenges in dynamic fracture

The field of dynamic fracture has been enlivened over the last 5 years or so by a series of remarkable accomplishments in different fields—earthquake science, atomistic (classical and quantum) simulations, novel laboratory experiments, materials modeling, and continuum mechanics. Important concepts either discovered for the first time or elaborated in new ways reveal wider significance. Here the separate streams of the literature of this progress are reviewed comparatively to highlight commonality and contrasts in the mechanics and physics.Much of the value of the new work resides in the new questions it has raised, which suggests profitable areas for research in the next few years and beyond. From the viewpoint of fundamental science, excitement is greatest in the struggle to probe the character of dynamic fracture at the atomic scale, using Newtonian or quantum mechanics as appropriate (a qualifier to be debated!). But lively interest is also directed towards modeling and experimentation at macroscales, including the geological, where the science of fracture is pulled at once by fundamental issues, such as the curious effects of friction, and the structural, where dynamic effects are essential to proper design or certification and even in manufacture.     

横观各向同性材料的三维断裂力学问题

从三维横观各向同性材料弹性力学理论出发, 使用Hadamard有限部积分概念, 导出了三维状态下单位位移间断(位错)集度的基 本解. 在此基础上, 进一步运用极限理论, 将任意载荷作用下, 三维无限大横观各向 同性材料弹性体中, 含有一个位于弹性对称面内的任意形状的片状裂纹问题, 归结为求 解一组超奇异积分方程的问题. 通过二维超奇异积分的主部分析方法, 精确地求得了裂纹前沿光滑点附近的应力奇异指数和奇异应力场, 从而找到了以裂纹表面位移间断表示的应力强度因子表达式及裂纹局部扩展所提供 的能量释放率. 作为以上理论的实际应用,最后给出了一个圆形片状裂纹问题 的精确解例和一个正方形片状裂纹问题的数值解例. 对受轴对称法向均布载荷作用下圆形片状裂纹问题, 讨论了超奇异积分方程的精确求解方法, 并获得了位移间断和应力强度因子的封闭解, 此结果与现有理论解完全一致.     

The deformation of the front of a 3D interface crack propagating quasistatically in a medium with random fracture properties

One studies the evolution in time of the deformation of the front of a semi-infinite 3D interface crack propagating quasistatically in an infinite heterogeneous elastic body. The fracture properties are assumed to be lower on the interface than in the materials so that crack propagation is channelled along the interface, and to vary randomly within the crack plane. The work is based on earlier formulae which provide the first-order change of the stress intensity factors along the front of a semi-infinite interface crack arising from some small but otherwise arbitrary in-plane perturbation of this front. The main object of study is the long-time behavior of various statistical measures of the deformation of the crack front. Special attention is paid to the influences of the mismatch of elastic properties, the type of propagation law (fatigue or brittle fracture) and the stable or unstable character of 2D crack propagation (depending on the loading) upon the development of this deformation.     

三维计算断裂力学

断裂力学理论从1921年Griffith研究玻璃的脆性断裂问题开始,经历了从线弹性体系到弹塑性以及蠕变理论体系、从单参数到多参数体系和从理想的二维平面理论到实际三维含裂纹结构的三维断裂理论的发展历程。针对应力强度因子K和J积分以及C(t)积分的计算方法从理想化模型的理论计算发展到实际复杂工程结构裂纹体计算的各种商业软件平台以及专业的断裂理论分析平台。尤其是随着计算机技术的发展,对三维含裂结构的静态和扩展裂纹的计算模拟已经能够融入计算机辅助设计。结合本研究组近30年来在三维疲劳断裂理论和应用研究方面的体会,简述了三维计算断裂力学从裂纹体应力应变分析和断裂参数计算到三维蠕变断裂和疲劳裂纹扩展模拟的国内外进展,并对涉及的计算方法,包括原子尺度和跨尺度的计算模拟,以及目前面临的挑战性问题作了简要介绍和分析。     

Approaches to dynamic fracture modelling at finite deformations

The focus of the present paper is on the finite element modelling of dynamic fracture based on the concept of locally enriched element shape functions in the vicinity of the crack, in line with the eXtended Finite Element Method (X-FEM). For this purpose, the proper governing equations for the case of a propagating crack within a hyperelastic material is established, including the definition of the concept of material motion which kinematically describes the progression of the crack. Furthermore, two different approaches to describe the material degradation and separation are proposed. The first approach, denoted the material crack driving force model, is based on the concept of material (or configurational) forces associated with the material motion. The basic motivation is that, in this context, a driving force is identified at the crack tip, which points in the direction of maximum energy release upon crack propagation. An additional interesting feature of this force is that the projection in the crack propagation direction corresponds to the energy released for such a propagation, whereby an intuitive criterion for crack propagation based on the direction and magnitude of this force is proposed. The second approach is based on the classical cohesive zone concept, extended to include rate effects to capture experimentally observed phenomena such as growing process zones during propagation as well as limited crack propagation speeds well below the theoretical limit. Both models are investigated and compared in a couple of numerical examples in the latter part of the paper, showing both the predictive capabilities as well as some limitations of the two approaches. It has also been shown that, for a specific set of parameters, the two models can reproduce (almost) the same response.     

Brittle fracture dynamics with arbitrary paths III. The branching instability under general loading

The dynamic propagation of a bifurcated crack under arbitrary loading is studied. Under plane loading configurations, it is shown that the model problem of the determination of the dynamic stress intensity factors after branching is similar to the anti-plane crack branching problem. By analogy with the exact results of the mode III case, the energy release rate immediately after branching under plane situations is expected to be maximized when the branches start to propagate quasi-statically. Therefore, the branching of a single propagating crack under mode I loading should be energetically possible when its speed exceeds a threshold value. The critical velocity for branching of the initial single crack depends only weakly on the criterion applied for selecting the paths followed by the branches. However, the principle of local symmetry imposes a branching angle which is larger than the one given by the maximum energy release rate criterion. Finally, it is shown that an increasing fracture energy with the velocity results in a decrease in the critical velocity at which branching is energetically possible.     

Experimental method of dynamic caustics and its application in fracture mechanics

The equation of static and dynamic caustics, and the formulae determining the position of crack tip and stress intensity factor are given. It is proven that for the case of low speed of crack propagation the static formula is applicable in calculation. A simple method to measure the static stress-optical constants is proposed. An Optical system which is suitable for the experiments of dynamic caustics was set-up and used to study the fracture in beam and rings with initial crack under impact loading. A series of dynamic caustics' photographs and curves showing the variations of corresponding crack lengths and dynamic stress intensity factors with time, are presented.     

Dynamical evolution of fracture process region in ductile materials

The aim of this paper is to investigate the dynamics of evolving finite fracture process regions in ductile material taking into account the dislocation motion.     

On the reduction of some second-order nonlinear ODEs in physics and mechanics to first-order nonlinear integrodifferential and Abel’s classes of equations

Second-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with strong nonlinear stiffness terms (cubic nonlinearities) governing wave motions, dynamic crack propagations, nonlinear oscillations etc. in physics and nonlinear mechanics are analyzed. Selecting as guide line a second-order nonlinear ODE of the form of the forced Duffing equation and using admissible functional transformations it is possible to reduce it to an equivalent first-order nonlinear integrodifferential equation. The reduced equation is exact. In the limits of small or large values of the parameter characterizing this nonlinear problem, it is shown that further reductions lead to a nonlinear ODE of the Abel classes. Taking into account the known exact analytic solutions of this equivalent equation it is proved that there does not exist an exact analytic solution of this type of equations. However, in cases when convenient functional relations connecting all parameters of the corresponding null equation and the characteristics of the driving force exist, approximate analytic solutions to the problem under consideration are provided.     

Brittle fracture dynamics with arbitrary paths I. Kinking of a dynamic crack in general antiplane loading

We present a new method for determining the elasto-dynamic stress fields associated with the propagation of anti-plane kinked or branched cracks. Our approach allows the exact calculation of the corresponding dynamic stress intensity factors. The latter are very important quantities in dynamic brittle fracture mechanics, since they determine the crack path and eventual branching instabilities. As a first illustration, we consider a semi-infinite anti-plane straight crack, initially propagating at a given time-dependent velocity, that changes instantaneously both its direction and its speed of propagation. We will give the explicit dependence of the stress intensity factor just after kinking as a function of the stress intensity factor just before kinking, the kinking angle and the instantaneous velocity of the crack tip.     

On study of nonclassical problems of fracture and failure mechanics and related mechanisms

Nonclassical problems of fracture and failure mechanics that have been analyzed by the author and his collaborators at the S. P. Timoshenko Institute of Mechanics (Kiev, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine) during the past forty years are considered in brief. The results of the analysis are presented in a form that would be quite informative for the majority of experts interested in various fundamental and applied aspects of fracture and failure problems including the identification of related mechanisms. This paper was prepared on invitation of the Editorial Board of the journal “Annals. The European Academy of Sciences” and may be considered as an Extended Pascal Medal Lecture (The 2007 Blaise Pascal Medal in Materials Sciences of the EAS) This is an updated edition of the author’s lecture prepared at the invitation of the Annals—The European Academy of Sciences Magazine on the occasion of awarding him the 2007 Blaise Pascal Medal in Materials Sciences by the EAS. The author’s speech at the award ceremony at the General Assembly of the Academy has already been published in International Applied Mechanics [75]. The electronic version of the paper in Annals has been prepared; this issue of Annals is to be published as a book. The paper includes an additional section and extended list of references [41–99]. Published in Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 3–40, January 2009.     

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给出了混流式转轮叶片与上冠(或下环)采用部分焊透裂纹尖端应力强 度因子的分析模型. 根据给出的模型，结合某电站转轮强度分析结果，通过实际算例，明 确了预留焊缝长度的确定方法. 该方法适用于所有混流式转轮叶片与上冠(或下环)之间 采用部分焊透预留焊缝长度的确定.     

Experimental caustics analysis in fracture mechanics of anisotropic materials

The originally developed reflection method of caustics is presented for application to cracks in mechanically anisotropic materials such as fiber-reinforced composites. The derived solutions for the combination of crack-opening modes I and II show that the size of the dark spot depends on the load intensity, whereas its shape depends strongly on the mechanical properties of the material, the orientation of the crack tip and the mixed-mode mixture. The evaluation of optical effects is possible using the diameter-measuring method or the advanced multipoint overdeterministic data reduction method. To find the exact position of caustics, the experimental images are analyzed by the simple boundary value method and a more sophisticated differential method, which is accomplished by shifting the real image onto the gradient image. The standard experimental testing procedure is performed for cracks oriented 0 deg, 45 deg and 90 deg to the material axes in carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composites.     

Brittle fracture dynamics with arbitrary paths. II. Dynamic crack branching under general antiplane loading

The dynamic propagation of a bifurcated crack under antiplane loading is considered. The dependence of the stress intensity factor just after branching is given as a function of the stress intensity factor just before branching, the branching angle and the instantaneous velocity of the crack tip. The jump in the dynamic energy release rate due to the branching process is also computed. Similar to the single crack case, a growth criterion for a branched crack is applied. It is based on the equality between the energy flux into each propagating tip and the surface energy which is added as a result of this propagation. It is shown that the minimum speed of the initial single crack which allows branching is equal to 0.39c, where c is the shear wave speed. At the branching threshold, the corresponding bifurcated cracks start their propagation at a vanishing speed with a branching angle of approximately 40°.     

Stability of an intersonic shear crack to a perturbation of its edge

A weight function matrix is developed for obtaining the stress singularity coefficients at the edge of a plane crack, moving uniformly at an intersonic speed while subjected to arbitrary shear loading. This is then utilised for deriving, to first order, the perturbations of these coefficients associated with a small spatially and temporally varying perturbation of its edge. The perturbation solution is employed, in conjunction with a simple fracture criterion, to investigate the stability of a uniformly moving intersonic crack, subjected to following loads.     

A fracture criterion for finitely deforming crystalline solids—The dynamic fracture of single crystals

The major objective of this work has been to develop, within a continuum framework, a microstructurally-based computational theory to investigate dynamic failure in metals. To model the nucleation and propagation of failure surfaces at the microstructural scale, under large deformations and dynamic loading conditions, general finite-deformation theory, as relating to the decomposition of the deformation gradient, was tailored to monitor displacement incompatibilities and fracture in crystalline solids subjected to large deformations. Based on this proposed decomposition, a general fracture criterion for finitely deforming crystals, using the integral law of incompatibility, was developed. The analyses indicate that this newly proposed fracture formulation and criterion can be validated with experimental results, and can be used to accurately predict brittle and ductile failure modes for the large deformation of single crystals. As part of the newly proposed decomposition of the deformation gradient, sub-problems can also be solved for lattice distortions, such as twinning and geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) densities. Accordingly, the interactions of GND densities with cracks were investigated for single crystals. GND densities were shown to form as loops for stationary crack tips, but no loops formed for propagating cracks.     

Sensitivity of probabilistic fracture mechanics analysis to variations in statistical parameters

Probability of failure (p_f) of a structure is usually calculated for a specified set of statistical parameters (mean, standard deviation, and probability distribution) that characterize random variables. This approach may not be efficient in cases where one would like to know the effect of variations in statistical parameters on the probability of failure. A method based on generating and analyzing randomly selected statistical parameters is proposed. The method consists of generating databases of mean and coefficient of variation (COV = mean/standard deviation) values of relevant fracture mechanics variables through a random process. The method was applied to surface cracks in a flat wide plate loaded under elastic conditions. Probability of failure was calculated for each database record using the first-order reliability method (FORM). Multiple linear regression analyses of the database records were performed with p_f as dependent variable and statistical parameters as independent variables. The predicted p_f values were in very good agreement with the directly calculated p_f values for the specified variations of statistical parameters (±10%, ±15%, and ±20%), except those for fracture toughness and tensile stress, where variations should be limited to ±10% and ±15% ranges.     

Discussion on electromagnetic crack face boundary conditions for the fracture mechanics of magneto-electro-elastic materials

This paper discusses electromagnetic boundary conditions on crack faces in magneto- electroelastic materials, where piezoelectric, piezomagnetic and magnetoelectric effects are coupled. A notch of finite thickness in these materials is also addressed. Four idealized electromagnetic boundary conditions assumed for the crack-faces are separately investigated, i.e. (a) electrically and magnetically impermeable (crack-face), (b) electrically impermeable and magnetically permeable, (c) electrically permeable and magnetically impermeable, and (d) electrically and magnetically permeable. The influence of the notch thickness on important parameters, such as the field intensity factors, the energy release rate at the notch tips and the electromagnetic fields inside the notch, are studied and the results are obtained in closed-form. Results under different idealized electromagnetic boundary conditions on the crack-face are compared, and the applicability of these idealized assumptions is discussed.The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10102004) The English text was polished by Yunming Chen.     

Dynamic fracture behaviour in fibre-reinforced cementitious composites

The object of this work is to simulate the dynamic fracture propagation in fibre-reinforced cementitious composites, in particular, in steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC). Beams loaded in a three-point bend configuration through a drop-weight impact device are considered. A single cohesive crack is assumed to propagate at the middle section; the opening of this crack is governed by a rate-dependent cohesive law; the fibres around the fracture plane are explicitly represented through truss elements. The fibre pull-out behaviour is depicted by an equivalent constitutive law, which is obtained from an analytical load–slip curve. The obtained load–displacement curves and crack propagation velocities are compared with their experimental counterparts. The good agreement with experimental data testifies to the feasibility of the proposed methodology and paves the way to its application in a multi-scale framework.     

反倾层状岩质边坡失稳的断裂力学分析

反倾层状岩质边坡的高危地质灾害承载体在自然界中普遍存在,为研究其失稳破坏机制,将反倾边坡岩层简化为一个带裂缝的悬臂梁,建立了由一组结构面控制边坡稳定性的断裂力学模型,推导了各岩层结构面等效应力强度因子和岩层及边坡稳定性判据。分析了岩层倾角、层厚、结构面长度、内摩擦角和粘聚力5个因素对边坡的稳定性影响。结果表明,随着岩层倾角和结构面长度的增加,边坡不稳定区域增加,坡脚处的抗滑稳定性减小;随着内摩擦角和粘聚力的增大,边坡不稳定区域减小,坡脚处的抗滑稳定性增大;随着岩层厚度的增大,不稳定岩层的范围基本保持不变,但是岩层的抗滑稳定区域随着厚度增加逐渐向坡脚移动,厚度越大,坡脚处的抗滑稳定性越大。实例分析验证了本文理论的合理与可行性,研究结论对工程实践具有一定指导意义。